Boutique operator Victus Soul opens first studio in London

Located close to the Tower of London in Aldgate, Victus Soul offers two workouts – HIIT & Run and HIIT & Box.

The concept has been created by founders Paul Trendell and Chris Djuric, in collaboration with fitness presenter Dean Hodgkin and master trainers Alice Rickard and Jamal Kurdi.

The 60 and 40-minute classes combine either running or boxing with strength training and recovery. The class timetable varies each day, with either a full body focus or a primal movement focus (Pull/Push, Squat/Lunge and Bend/Rotate).

According to Trendell and Djuric, Victus Soul will prioritise technique, form and recovery, with a focus on providing an experience "similar to personal training, but with the high-energy atmosphere of working out in a group".

The first site features two studios, housing Woodway treadmills, Aquabags and custom-made benches.

There is also a ‘Soul Bar’, situated in the studio gallery, serving healthy snacks and drinks and post-workout nutrition – including shakes and juices.

The studio will initially offer 36 classes per week and has established a flexible pricing model with pay-as-you-go sessions starting from £20 per drop-in. Packages and memberships are also available.

“The concept was inspired by the latest fitness trends emerging globally through our own research, and we are looking forward to people experiencing our workouts," said co-founder Paul Trendell.

"We have carefully designed our studio to provide a premium experience from the moment you walk through the door – we hope that people will come for a daily workout, but also want to be a part of a community.”

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“A couple of years ago, I attended a women’s leadership summit at IHRSA. I really enjoyed being in a room with female business leaders and left inspired to do more of that kind of activity, but couldn’t find an outlet”

“We’ve spent many hours drawing up our values as a company. The first is ‘Conquer your journey’, the next is ‘Train for tomorrow’, which is all about recovery and good technique and the last one is ‘Protect our soul’, which is about doing everything ethically and sustainably.”

“The new FIBO CAMPUS will have 13 themed sessions, ranging from fitness and health through personnel management to digitisation, offering a line-up for visitors – be they gym operators, physiotherapists or trainers”

“In London, people are familiar with the boutique concept, but elsewhere it’s still relatively new, so initially it was a challenge to educate people in Manchester about our benefits, when they were used to paying budget club prices”

“We signed an agreement with FoodWell, to be part of its inaugural 9,000sq ft site in Manchester, offering group fitness classes, a mindful restaurant and a series of workshops on healthy living options and we’ll be operating a Rejuvenate studio within this development”